Course Descriptions

The Certified Pawn Professional (CPP) designation on-location courses are activity-based learning environments where the students actively participate and learn from their peers as well as the instructor. Courses begin at 8:30 am and conclude at 4:30 pm. Students must attend the full course and pass the exam at the end of course in order to receive credit. Several breaks are offered throughout the day.

Once a student is registered for the course, they will receive the course workbook via email at least three weeks prior to the course date. Candidates are required to read the workbook prior to attending the course and are responsible for printing and bringing the course workbook with them.

Store operations is the set of activities and processes that help an organization run effectively, efficiently, and in line with business strategies and objectives. The expectations of how your employees operate and represent your business are determined by your store operations practices such as ethics, store appearance, security, and other day-to-day operations. This directly impacts the customer experience, in a positive way if you’re doing it right, and ultimately your bottom line.

After completing this course students should be able to:

Understand the background and history of pawn

Learn the importance of practicing appropriate personal and business ethics

Recognize different types of pawn customers and their motivations for pawning property

Learn the basics of store safety and security practices

Understand fundamental pawn transaction processes

Learn the importance of basic merchandising

Understand how to deliver appropriate customer service

Understand how to distribute media releases effectively

Know why loan balance growth is important and how to increase loan balances

Marketing, advertising and public relations are not exact sciences and can vary greatly from one organization to the next. All three areas are closely connected and require a variety of strategies and tactics that are constantly changing in order to remain effective and successfully support the organization. Having a marketing plan in place, being prepared to interact with media, and being an active, positive participant in your community are all important for a well-rounded plan. Add today’s technology into the mix, and you can quickly setup yourself up for success if handled properly.

After completing this course students should be able to:

Understand the differences between the functions of marketing and sales

Learn the importance of marketing a successful pawn business

Recognize how different marketing strategies resonate with various audiences

Create a basic marketing plan

Realize how online and print media differ

Recognize the importance of tracking results

Discern how public relations, advertising, and marketing differ

Understand how to create and distribute media releases effectively

Know the value and importance of community relations and engagement

Understand the importance of building and promoting their business’ brand

For small and large businesses alike, the human resources function is important for more than just processing payroll or hiring an employee. Human resources play a critical role in handling the employee focused activities of a company and in driving the company’s overall strategy and success. With the constantly changing employment environment, businesses must have a strong human resources strategy to survive.

After completing this course students should be able to:

Discuss the importance of ever changing employment law compliance including Wage and Hour regulations, Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended requirements, and Equal Employment Opportunity practices(Harassment and Discrimination).

Understand the importance of establishing and implementing an Employee Handbook/Policy and Procedure Manual.

Understand and summarize the basics of screening and hiring and provide practical tips for making the right hire.

At the federal level, there are currently 15 primary federal statutes and regulations that govern pawnbrokers and pawn transactions, including the customer protection and anti-money laundering laws that apply to other providers designated as financial institutions. In addition to these federal regulations, there are many state and local regulations that apply to pawnbrokers and/or dealers in precious metals based on where the business provides its services and the services provided. Businesses that do not comply, knowingly or unknowingly, with these regulations may be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties, which can be significant.

After completing this course students should be able to:

Understand the federal regulations that are applicable to pawnbrokers and how they affect the way pawnbrokers conduct business

Learn the importance of filing Form 8300s and when it is necessary to file a Form 8300

Understand the history and importance of anti-money laundering legislation

Identify the federal regulations that are specific to military members and their dependents

Know how to handle a customer bankruptcy filing

Understand how to work with law enforcement in transaction reporting

Understand their rights related to police confiscations

Understand the requirements of the “Bound Book” Acquisition and Disposition Record

Distinguish the difference between the BATFE’s 4473 Form and Forms 3310.4 and 3310.12

Recognize a straw purchase

Understand the process of complying with NICS background check requirements

In the pawn business, product knowledge is power and can make or break your business. The more you know about a product, the more successful you will be when deciding to buy or loan on an item, ensuring that you are not left with a useless item in inventory. The ability to evaluate and understand products and how to use them is the key to every successful pawn store.

Pawnbrokers typically handle cash, firearms, jewelry, precious metals, power tools, high-end electronics, vehicles, and all sorts of other luxury items. In addition, some pawn stores participate in ancillary services, such as check cashing, or may offer access to onsite ATMs. Each of these elements serves to increase risk on its own, let alone all together. With such a wide-range of concerns from a risk standpoint, it is crucial that pawnbrokers have a clear understanding not only of what they are up against, but what can be done to combat these threats.

NPA works to provide independent pawnbrokers nationwide with resources and tools to strengthen the pawn industry. NPA members are committed to operating their business in such a manner as to enhance and promote the positive and professional image of all pawnbrokers. Members believe in establishing positive and long-lasting relationships with local, state and federal government officials.
The NPA is the industry's only national association representing independent pawnbrokers and is located in Southlake, TX.